Patients on regular medication do not always need to see the doctor for a repeat of their medicines. You will be issued with a computer slip attached to your prescription. This should be returned to the surgery when you need further medication, after ticking the items you require.

Sometimes you may be asked to come in and see the doctor before your medication is issued, or have a blood test. Please ensure, therefore, that you order in good time (a week in advance should be sufficient).

If you suffer from a chronic disease your medication should be reviewed annually. You can book a review with the nurse in the month of your birthday.

NHS Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin have launched a new campaign, ‘Think Twice, Order Right,’ to address the significant issue of medicines waste in our community. Did you know that approximately £2.6million of medicine items are wasted unnecessarily in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin each year? This campaign aims to reduce this waste, protect patient safety, and ensure NHS resources are used effectively.

The campaign urges residents to check what medicines they already have at home before ordering repeat prescriptions and to only request what they genuinely need. By doing so, we can prevent medicine shortages, reduce risks at home, and minimise environmental harm.

How You Can Help?

· Check first: Before ordering medicines check the amount you have and whether it is in date. Only reorder medications when you have around 7 to 10 days left. Only request the medicines you need.

· Think safety: Unused medicines can negatively impact the environment if thrown away. Return any unused or expired medicines to local pharmacies for safe disposal.

· Double-check at the pharmacy: Before leaving the pharmacy premises (building), check your bag and hand back any unwanted medicines for reuse.

By following these steps, you can help reduce medicine waste and ensure resources are used effectively.

Why Is This Important?

· Stay Well: Unused medicines go out of date and might not work as intended, compromising care. Plus, stockpiling medicines worsens drug shortages.

· Stay Safe: Stockpiles of medicines at home can be dangerous for children and pets. Medicines are prescribed for you and should not be shared.

· Stay Green: Only requesting the medicines, you need means that you are helping the environment by reducing medicine waste. When you dispose of medicines properly you are helping to make sure that waste medicines do not pollute our rivers and seas.

Returning any unused or expired medicines from home to pharmacy ensures they are safely disposed of. If you return medicines before leaving the pharmacy building, medicines can be reused.

By ‘Thinking Twice and Ordering Right,’ you can help protect NHS resources, keep medicines available for those who need them, and prevent unnecessary environmental harm.

If you are unsure what to do, speak to your Pharmacy Team. Find out more about the campaign at: www.ThinkTwiceOrderRight.co.uk

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered in the following ways:

Please do not order your medications more than 7 days ahead of needing them; it is important that we order prescriptions as normal and wish to reassure patients that there is no need to stockpile medications.  If you have less that 3 days' supply please telephone the surgery on our main number. 

In Surgery - tick the boxes for medication required on the right hand side of your last prescription, or complete the prescription request form, and place in prescription box at reception. 

By Post - please allow extra time for the request to reach the surgery and enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you want the prescription posted to you.

Online - via Patient Access (follow our online service link above).

By Email - to riverside.prescriptions@nhs.net  giving your full name, date of birth and the items you require.

By Phone via the Prescription Ordering Service -  The prescription ordering service or POD.

This service allows patients to call and order your prescription directly. To do this simply call on 0333 358 3509 between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) for assistance. This call will be charged at local call rate. Or alternatively you can email your request to shropshire.pod@nhs.net 

The Surgery has a duty of care to safely monitor patients medication, this includes High Risk Drugs 

For more information click here

Help with NHS costs

In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, such as:

• those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
• those who are age exempt
• those with certain medical conditions
• More information is available at NHS Choices

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/ 

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.90
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
• 3-month PPC: £31.25

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website.